The John Marshall Foundation is currently seeking nominations for the 2015 John Marshall Foundation Teacher Awards. This annual award recognition began in 1989 as one of the Foundation’s first educational programs to honor outstanding secondary school teachers for their demonstrated knowledge of and enthusiasm for the United States Constitution as evidenced through activities inside and outside of the classroom. For more information about the award, please contact Lawton B. Way, Esq., at (804)787-8019, or lway@hunton.com

The 2015 Teacher Award Application

Eligibility and Criteria

Any public or private middle or high school classroom teacher in Virginia who has been teaching for a minimum of five years is eligible for the award. Each winner will be selected on the basis of his or her demonstrated knowledge of and enthusiasm for the United States Constitution as evidenced through activities inside and outside of the classroom. Each nominee must submit a personal statement that relates his or her teaching to John Marshall and his legacy. Note: If you submitted an unsuccessful application within the past three years (2012, 2013, or 2014), you may simply re-submit the original application and just add a one-page description of your related activities during the past year. Previous winners of the award are not eligible.

Award

A $2,500 award will be presented to the middle school winner and to the high school winner.

Timetable

Nominations must be postmarked by Friday, March 27, 2015. Awards will be presented on May 1, 2015 during a special ceremony at the Richmond Bar Association’s Law Day Luncheon.

Nomination

Nominations may be made either by self-nomination or by a nominator. A nomination package consists of a completed nomination form, with the two required letters and a personal statement described below. An additional third letter from a former student or parent of a former student is strongly encouraged. The letters should be short (one to two single-spaced typed pages each, 12 pt. font, with no attachments or enclosures), and should provide concrete examples rather than generalized endorsements.

Nomination Form

A completed nomination package consists of this form plus two letters, as outlined on the previous page, and a personal statement by the nominee which relates his or her teaching to John Marshall and his legacy. Three copies of each nomination package must be submitted and postmarked no later than Friday, March 27, 2015, to the John Marshall Foundation c/o Lawton B. Way, Esq., Hunton & Williams LLP, Riverfront Plaza, East Tower, 951 East Byrd Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219-4074

Download Application

The Personal Statement All nominees (whether self-nominated or nominated by a third party) must submit a personal statement that relates his or her teaching to John Marshall and his legacy.

The Required Letters should come from the following sources:

Current area supervisor (e.g., department chairman) or a fellow educator.

This letter should include specific examples of the nominee’s knowledge of and enthusiasm for the Constitution, as evidenced by activities inside and outside of the classroom, along with information on the nominee’s methodology, ability, and success in communicating knowledge and enthusiasm for the United States Constitution to students.

The nominee (for self-nominations) or the nominator (for third-party nominations). Please note, both self-nominees and third-party nominees are also required to submit the personal statement.

This letter should address all of the above- mentioned criteria, including at least one tested teaching idea as it relates to teaching the United States Constitution.

The Optional Letter should come from the following sources:

A former student or parent of a former student.

This letter should focus on the nominee’s role in the classroom and school and his or her achievements as an educator.

Three copies of each nomination package (nomination form plus personal statement and attached letters) must be submitted before the Friday, March 27, 2015 deadline to:

Judging

Nominations will be judged by a panel of the John Marshall Foundation Board and others convened for this purpose. The mechanics of judging and the ultimate decision on the Award are within the sole discretion of the John Marshall Foundation. The Foundation reserves the right to alter the terms of this announcement, the award, and eligibility and criteria without further notice as it deems appropriate.